Hair brush with a removable ceramic hair pick

ABSTRACT

A brush has a head with a number of bristles connected to a handle with a distal end and a proximal end. The handle has a hollow interior and an aperture disposed in the distal end. The aperture is opposite the bristles and a hair pick removably disposed in the aperture. The hair pick has one or more portions that are made from a ceramic material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hairbrush. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a hairbrush having a hair pick that may beselectively retained in a handle of the hairbrush. Still moreparticularly, the hair pick is made of a suitable material to impart oneor more benefits to the hair.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hair styling products are known in the art. They are available in alarge variety of designs for a number of modes of styling, such as forexample, hair curling. Typically, to achieve a certain desirable haircurling style, heat is employed. This heat along with hair product isapplied to selective portions of the hair to achieve tight, loose, largeor small curls or other styling. Hair picks are also known in the artfor removing hair that aggregates on a hairbrush. Hair picks are alsoknown for styling the hair and providing the stylist with a tool forcertain applications such as for example detangling the hair, teasingthe hair and overall styling of the hair. However, during the haircurling manipulating, the prior art hair picks can potentially have oneor more detriments.

First, prior art hair pick are formed from a metal. When this metal hairpick is placed in proximity to the curling iron, the metal hair pickwill become heated. This heated hair pick can result in potentiallyunintentionally heating the scalp of the individual that the stylist isworking on. Moreover, the stylist may potentially have difficultymanipulating the heated hair pick.

Second, the hair pick is typically relatively smaller in size than ahairbrush and/or curling iron. If placed on a counter, or dropped duringthe styling, the hair pick can be potentially lost very easily. Third,prior art hair picks typically do not provide any additional stylingbenefits to the hair. They are merely used in one or more limitedsituations such as for detangling the hair. However, if the hair is verydetangled, the stylist must exert more force to the hair pick tountangle the detangled hair. This results in an amount of discomfort tothe hair stylist's client. In order to reduce this discomfort, the hairstylist must employ another device to assist with the entanglement ofthe hair. Typically, a hair stylist would utilize an ion generatingdevice to impart a silky texture or non-static condition to the hair andto further assist with detangling the hair. However, the manipulation ofthe hairbrush, the ion generating device and the hair pick isdifficulty, especially simultaneously.

Accordingly, there is a need for a hair pick that eliminates one or moreof the aforementioned drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hair pick that isremovably mounted in a hairbrush.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hair pickthat retains heat for application to the hair.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a hairpick that distributes heat on the hair.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a hair pickthat retains infrared energy and later emits the infrared energy totreat the hair.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide ahair pick that emits ions to treat the hair.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hair pickimproves the texture of the hair.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a hairpick that is made from a ceramic material.

It is still yet a further object of the present invention to provide ahair pick that is made from a resilient base material that has a ceramiccoating thereon.

The above and other objects, advantages and benefits of the presentinvention will be understood by reference to the detailed descriptionprovided below and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hairbrush having a handle with anaperture and a removable hair pick being disposed in the aperture.

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a preferred embodiment of ahairbrush and a removable ceramic pick.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the handle of the hairbrush of FIG.1 with the ceramic hair pick being in the handle.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the ceramic hair pick of FIG. 3 being detachedfrom the handle.

FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the hair pick of FIG. 3being detached from the handle.

FIG. 6 is a side view of still another embodiment of the hair pick ofFIG. 3 being detached from the handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and, in particular, FIG. 1, there is provideda hair styling assembly of the present invention generally representedby reference numeral 10. The hair styling assembly 10 has a brush 12.The brush 12 is shown in a preferred embodiment as a round vented brushof a generally elongated cylindrical shape. However, one skilled in theart should appreciate that the hair styling assembly 10 may be used witha round brush, a cylindrical shaped brush, a flat hairbrush, a paddlebrush, a spinning brush, a half round brush, a vent brush, a comb, anall purpose comb, a wide toothed comb, a teasing comb, a rat tailedcomb, a detangling comb and any other hair styling device or hairstyling apparatus known in the art.

One skilled in the art should appreciate that brush 12 has a brush head16. The brush head 16 may be formed in a variety of diameters.Preferably, the smaller the diameter, the tighter the curl of the hair.Relatively narrow diameters are especially effective for creating curlswhile conversely relatively larger diameters create looser curls. Thebrush head 16 is extends about half way on the hair styling assembly 10from an end to about a midpoint on the hair styling assembly. The brushhead 16 has a length suitable to comb or style hair in a comfortablemanner and further to have an adequate number of bristles 14 disposed insurrounding fashion thereon.

The brush head 16 has a sleeve 18. The sleeve 18 is disposed around thebrush head 16 in concentric relation to the brush head. Preferably, thesleeve 18 is formed from a thermally conductive material such as metal,copper, aluminum, or steel. However, one skilled in the art shouldappreciate that the sleeve 18 may be made from any thermally conductivematerial known in the art. Although, the sleeve 18 is shown ascompletely surrounding the brush head 16, alternatively the sleeve mayonly surround a radial portion of the brush head such as three quartersof the brush head, half of the brush head or a quarter of the brushhead. Due to the thermally conductive nature of the sleeve 18, thesleeve is preferably heated upon contact with heated air from a heatsource such as a hair dryer. In this manner, the sleeve 18 is heated andthe brush head 16 may assist with curling the hair being brushed to formone or more curls.

The sleeve 18 has a number of apertures 20 being disposed therethrough.Preferably, a number of bristles 14 extend outwardly opposite the brushhead 16 through the number of apertures 20. The number of apertures 20preferably facilitate drying of the hair when using the hair stylingassembly 10 with the hair dryer. The number of apertures 20 preferablypermit the heated air to traverse through the sleeve 18 and out theopposite side of the brush head 16 to contact and dry the hair that isbeing brushed on the opposite side. This decreases an amount of timenecessary to dry the hair as the number of apertures 20 facilitate thecirculation of the heated air relative to an instance where the brushhead 16 blocks an air flow path. Here, the path of the heated airtraverses through a front side of the sleeve 18 and out a rear side ofthe sleeve.

The number of bristles 14 may be boar's head bristles, nylon bristles,heat resistant bristles or any other suitable material known in the artfor brushing the hair in a comfortable manner. The number of bristles 14are arranged, as shown in FIG. 1, extending in all directions,preferably three hundred and sixty degrees surrounding the brush 12.Preferably, this brush 12 and the number of bristles 14 are used duringthe various stages of blow-drying.

The hair styling device 10 has a handle 22. The handle 22 is preferablyan elongated cylindrical member removably or fixedly connected,preferably fixedly, to the brush head 16 and is lightweight to allowmanipulation of the brush head. Although, shown as generallycylindrical, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the handle 22may be generally rectangular or have any other shape known in the art.The handle 22 has an interior space 24 with a volume as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a hair pick being detached from thehair styling device 10. The handle 22 has a length 26 and a diameter 28.The length 26 and diameter 28 of the handle 22 are suitably sized to becapable of being grasped by the stylist. The diameter 28 is preferablymeasured from an inner surface of an aperture 38. The handle 22 is shownas being formed from a resilient material such as wood. Alternatively,the handle 22 may be formed from any material being known in the artsuch as a thermoplastic, a thermoset, a polymer material, a metal,steel, aluminum or any combinations thereof. Preferably, the handle 22has a distal side 30 and a proximal side 32 being opposite the distalside. Preferably, the brush head 16 is connected to the handle 22 at theproximal side 32. In this embodiment, the handle 22 has a bulbousfeature 34 at the proximal side 32 that allows a thumb to rest thereon.The bulbous feature preferably is aesthetically pleasing. However, oneskilled in the art will appreciate that the proximal side 32 of thehandle 22 may be shaped in any manner known in the art.

The distal side 30 of the handle 22 further has an end 36. The end 36preferably has the aperture 38, preferably a circular aperture therein.The aperture 38 permits access to the interior space 24 of the handle22.

Referring to FIG. 3, the interior space 24 has a length 40. The length40 preferably extends about halfway up the length 26 of the handle 22 asshown in FIG. 2. However, one skilled in the art should recognize thatthe interior space 24 is of a suitable size to fit a longitudinal membertherein.

The hair styling device 10 further has a hair pick 44. The hair pick 44is preferably an elongated cylindrical member having preferably a dualfunction. First, the hair pick 44 preferably allows the stylist toremove stray hair that aggregates on the number of bristles 14 on thebrush head 16 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this manner, the hair pick 44may be grasped by the user, removed from the interior space 24, andmanipulated such that the aggregated stray hair is removed from thebrush head 16.

Second, the hair pick 44 may be used for styling purposes such asdetangling the hair and simultaneously imparting one or more stylingbenefits to the hair. Preferably, the hair pick 44 improves the hairtexture during a styling operation such as hair drying, hair curling,hair brushing, hair washing, hair teasing, or combing. Additionally, thehair pick 44 may act as a comb to straighten tangled hair. Stillfurther, the hair pick 44 may be formed from a suitable material toretain heat, ions, infrared radiation and impart that energy to improvethe hair texture.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the hair pick 44 is preferably selectivelyengageable and disengagebale in the hair styling assembly 10. The hairpick 44 preferably has a complementary width 46 relative to the diameter28 of the aperture 38 of the interior space 24. In this manner, the hairpick 44 fits in the aperture 38 and is selectively retained in theinterior space 24 of the handle 22.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the hair pick 44has a hair pick handle 48, a staff portion 50, and a bulbous grippingmember 52. The hair pick handle 48 is preferably a cylindrical shapedmember having a hair pick handle diameter or width 46 being shown inFIG. 3. The hair pick handle 48 is preferably connected between thestaff portion 50 and the bulbous gripping member 52. The hair pickhandle 48 preferably has the width 46 that is greater than a diameter ofthe staff portion 50.

Preferably, the hair pick handle 48 further has a sheath 56 that isdisposed around the hair pick handle. The sheath 56 is preferably has ahigher coefficient of friction relative to the hair pick handle 48 sothat the sheath rubs up against the interior space 24 of the handle 22.Thus, the hair pick 44 can be retained against an interior wall orsurface of the interior space 24 of the handle 22 and will not fall outof the handle for storage purposes when not in use during, for example,styling.

The sheath 56 is preferably an elastomeric material such as athermoplastic elastomer, a polyurethane material, rubber, or anycombinations thereof. However one skilled in the art should appreciatethat the sheath 56 may be any material known in the art to facilitategripping of the hair pick handle 48, the bulbous gripping member 52, thestaff portion 50 and also simultaneously grip the interior wall of theinterior space 24. The sheath 56 preferably also has a number of grooves58 being disposed thereon. The number of grooves 58 are arranged as aseries of spaced circular shaped furrows or channels that extendentirely along a circumference of the sheath 56. However, one skilled inthe art should appreciate that the number of grooves 58 may be in anypattern or configuration to facilitate gripping of the hair pick handle48.

Additionally, the sheath 56 preferably is formed from a thermallynonconductive material. Preferably, the hair pick 44 is typicallyinvolved in styling hair using for example a curling iron or a hairdryer both that emit heat. This may cause the hair pick 44 to becomeheated and remain hot and difficult to hold. The sheath 56 is preferablyformed from a thermally nonconductive material and preferably surroundsthe hair pick handle 48. Thus, the sheath 56 protects the fingers of thestylist that grips the hair pick 44.

The hair pick handle 48 is preferably connected to the bulbous grippingmember 52 at an end opposite the staff portion 50. Preferably, thebulbous gripping member 52 is spherical in shape and has a diameter 60.The diameter 60 is about the same as the hair pick handle diameter orwidth 46. Preferably, the bulbous gripping member 52 has substantiallythe same size as that of the hair pick handle 48 and facilitates theinitial removal of the hair pick 44 from the interior space 24 of thehair styling assembly 10.

Referring to FIG. 4, the hair pick handle 48 narrows in width and isfurther integrally connected to the staff portion 50 opposite thebulbous gripping member 52. The staff portion 50 is preferably agenerally elongated member having a tip 62. The tip 62 preferably is apointed end of the staff portion 50 opposite the hair pick handle 48 andalso opposite the bulbous gripping member 52. Preferably, the tip 62 andthe staff portion 50 are both resilient members and are suitable todetangle hair while simultaneously provide styling benefits to theclient.

The staff portion 50 further has an intermediate portion 64 with a width66. The width 66 of the staff portion 50 at the intermediate portion 64is relatively wider than that of a width of the tip 62 or an endopposite the tip connected to the hair pick handle 48. This width 66facilitates detangling the hair and simultaneously styling attributes ofthe hair pick 44.

An exemplary feature of the present invention is that the hair pick 44is made from a suitable material to absorb energy emitted from hairstyling devices and further retain and impart this energy to the hair tobe treated.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the hair pick 44 is formedfrom a solid ceramic material. Preferably, the hair pick 44 may be madefrom the solid ceramic material or alternatively a resilient basematerial, such as a metal or a plastic being coated with a ceramiccarrying paint. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, theceramic carrying paint is selected for optimal heat absorption and isselected for optimal conductivity. Preferably, the ceramic carryingpaint is further selected for other parameters such as cost, anddurability that are also weighed in addition to the optimal heatabsorption and optimal conductivity. In this ceramic carrying paintembodiment of the hair pick 44, preferably smaller particles of ceramicmaterial are contained in the ceramic carrying paint. These relativelysmaller particles of ceramic material in the ceramic carrying paintallow for a relatively higher concentration of ceramic material to becontained in the ceramic carrying paint relative to an instance of wherelarger particle are used. Preferably, a smaller particle size of theceramic material in the ceramic carrying paint further minimizesgranularity or a surface roughness of an outer surface of the hair pick44. This minimal surface roughness is preferred and results in a smoothouter surface to the hair pick 44 that aids in hair styling and textureof the hair. Preferably, the ceramic material absorbs heat from, forexample, a hair dryer or a curling iron and retains this heat for anextended period of time relative to the instance of the metal hairpicks. Preferably, the heated hair pick 44 will assist in styling of thehair and for example facilitate detangling and drying of the hair.

Referring to FIG. 5, in another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the hair pick 44 may be formed from a resilient base material68. The resilient base material 68 has a ceramic coating 70 disposedthereon. The ceramic coating 70 is preferred since a ceramic coating hassuperior characteristics for heat retention and heat distributionrelative to the resilient base material 68. Thus, the ceramic coating 70improves the styling of the hair to be treated.

In another embodiment, of the present invention, the hair pick 44 isformed from a ceramic material and retains ions. The ions are generatedfrom a suitable ionic generating device (not shown) that preferably isseparate from the hair styling assembly 10 and hair pick 44. The excessgenerated ions are transferred to the hair pick 44 by physical contactbetween the hair pick and the ionic generating device. The ions on thehair pick 44 are then transferred from the hair pick to the hair by asecond physical contact between the hair pick and the hair. Thisfacilitates an improved texture of the hair and assists, for example, indetangling purposes.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the hair pick 44 has oneor more portions of the hair pick 44 that are made from a ceramicmaterial. These one or more portions preferably retain infraredradiation for application to the hair to be treated or styled. Theinfrared energy is generated from a suitable infrared generating devicethat is separate from the hair styling assembly 10 and the hair pick 44.The infrared energy is transferred to the hair pick 44 by a suitablemanner. The infrared energy retained in the hair pick 44 is thentransferred from the hair pick to the hair by physical contact betweenthe hair pick and the hair. This results in improved benefits to thehair such as, for example, an improved hair texture.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.6, the hair pick 44 may only have the tip 62 coated with the ceramiccoating 70. In another alternative embodiment, the staff portion 50 ofthe hair pick 44 may be coated with the ceramic coating 70. Stillfurther, the hair pick handle 48 may be formed from a resilient materialsuch as a metal and the remainder of the hair pick may be formed withthe ceramic material or may be coated with the ceramic coating 70. Thismay reduce the costs associate with manufacture of the hair pick 44. Oneskilled in the art should appreciate that remaining portions of the hairpick 44 that are not coated may be formed from any suitable materialthat can withstand the high temperatures that are associated with theceramic coating process. For example, the hair pick 44 may be formedfrom a metal material, steel, aluminum or any another material known inthe art.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is onlyillustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives andmodifications can be devised by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the present invention. Accordingly, the present inventionis intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications andvariances.

1. A brush comprising: a handle having a proximal end, a distal end withan aperture and a hollow interior; a plurality of bristles beingopposite said aperture; and a hair pick being disposed in said aperture,wherein said hair pick has one or more portions that are made of ceramicmaterial.
 2. The brush of claim 1, wherein said hair pick is asubstantially longitudinal member.
 3. The brush of claim 1, wherein saidhair pick has a distal end and a proximal end and a bulbous memberconnected to said distal end.
 4. The brush of claim 2, wherein said hairpick has an elongated staff portion connected to a cylindrical portion.5. The brush of claim 4, wherein said cylindrical portion has a sheath,said sheath for selectively engaging said aperture of said handle. 6.The brush of claim 5, wherein said cylindrical portion has a pluralityof grooves disposed thereon.
 7. The brush of claim 4, wherein saidcylindrical portion of said hair pick has a first diameter and saidstaff portion of said hair pick has a second diameter, said firstdiameter being greater than said second diameter, and wherein saidaperture of said handle has a third diameter, said third diameter beingcomplementary in size to said first diameter so that said hair pick isselectively engageable in said handle.
 8. The brush of claim 5, whereinsaid sheath is formed of an elastomeric material,
 9. The brush of claim1, wherein said hair pick is formed entirely from a ceramic material.10. The brush of claim 1, wherein said hair pick has a base materialwith a ceramic coating on one or more portions of said base material.11. The brush of claim 1, wherein said hair pick is formed from aresilient material and has a layer on said resilient material, saidlayer being disposed over a portion of said hair pick, said layer beinga ceramic material.
 12. The brush of claim 1, wherein said hair pick isformed from a resilient material and has a second layer, said secondlayer being disposed over a portion of said hair pick being selectedfrom the group consisting of a staff portion, a hair pick handle, a tip,a bulbous gripping member, and any combinations thereof.
 13. A brushcomprising: a handle having a proximal end, a distal end with anaperture and a hollow interior; a plurality of bristles being disposedsubstantially opposite relative to said aperture; and a hair pick beingselectively engageable in said aperture of said handle, said hair pickhaving a portion being made from a material that retains heat.
 14. Thebrush of claim 13, wherein said hair pick is ceramic and when heatedassists in styling of hair.
 15. The brush of claim 13, wherein said hairpick emits heat for styling the hair.
 16. The brush of claim 13, whereinsaid hair pick retains ions for styling the hair.
 17. The brush of claim13, wherein said hair pick retains infrared energy for styling the hair.18. The brush of claim 13, said hair pick has a thermally non-conductivematerial around said hair pick for grasping said hair pick.
 19. Thebrush of claim 13, further comprising a bulbous member disposed on anend of said hair pick for selectively disengaging said hair pick fromsaid aperture.
 20. A hair pick comprising: a bulbous member; acylindrical member being connected to said bulbous member, saidcylindrical member having a coating disposed thereon, said coating beingmade from a thermally non-conductive material, said thermallynon-conductive material being an elastomeric material, said coatinghaving a plurality of grooves disposed thereon, said plurality ofgrooves being suitable to grasp and hold the hair pick; and a staffportion being elongated and connected to said cylindrical member, saidstaff portion having a tip opposite said cylindrical member for pickinghair, wherein the hair pick is made from a material for retaining anenergy for an amount of time to style the hair, said energy beingselected from the group consisting of an electric charge, infraredenergy, thermal energy, and any combinations thereof.